Copolymers of 4-nitrophenyl methacrylate with styrene: Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity ratios

Abstract

Free-radical copolymerization of 4-nitrophenyl methacrylate (NPMA) with styrene (STY) was carried out at 65°C in 2-butanone by using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as initiator. NPMA was characterized by spectral and microelemental analysis. Homo- and copolymers were characterized by IR, 1H-, and 13C-NMR studies and their copolymer compositions were evaluated by 1H-NMR spectroscopic technique. The copolymer reactivity ratios were calculated using Fineman–Ross, Kelen–Tüdos, and extended Kelen–Tudos methods. The Q,e values for NPMA were determined by Alfrey–Price Q,e rule. Thermal properties of the homo- and copolymers were studied by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry methods. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 1186–1193, 1999